Fair was the weather in the sunny glade, whose generous slopes sat like arched cat-backs below the radiant skyline. Scarce a cloud had fraught the sprightly vale that morning's rise -- yet now, moving slowly like grim shepherds, ominous clouds weltered the horizon.

Caiaphas had spent the day watching this idyllic vale and its occupants, her shrewd gaze parsing from a distance the wayward traveller, or flitting bird. She watched Duskfire so she could know her enemy -- but as the day sprawled closer to dusk she was reminded sharply of the hunger that grew insistent in her belly.

startled by the turbulence that thrummed about her, the waif looked upwards -- the yellow of her eyes wide as she beheld an avian visitor. it was instant, the hunger that seized her -- yet she sharply curbed its insistence by reminding herself that corvidae and their kin were oft not to be trusted. this one looked quite brave, the way it flitted about her -- caiaphas lusted after the wings that carried him, for many reasons.

she was instantly distrustful of him, if not for his brazenness it was for the glint to his coalrounded eyes. experience told her corvidae were of a more intelligent vein than their avian cousins, and she had no intention to test this one's wit. "Hi." it was all the skinny girl offered.

Never once did the unruffled poltroon's gaze leave this astounding creature -- the iridescent gleam of his feathers captivated her. His voice was strange -- it was not the raucous summon she oft heard overhead -- but rather, possessed an eerily solemnity Caiaphas could only envy.

It appeared, true to his species, that he was woven of a loquacious thread -- despite her hunger, Caiaphas considered entertaining his inquiry. "Food." She licked her lips longingly, though by her tone it appeared she did not consider him sustenance. "You?"

Like her black-feathered friend, Caiaphas shared no love with the land -- nor any familiarity. Her gaze flickered skyward, where clouds assembled in a gloomy herd of stout grey. If only she possessed those lengthy wings -- if only she had been born a bird.

But alas, she was earthbound -- and inspecting her flatboned limbs, she recalled unkindly the many instances in which wings would have garnered her favor. "See any packs?" If nothing else, her conversation could yield some fruitful new knowledge.

the wretch had hoped this man, dark of plume, carried with him the knowledge of their proximity. But from his words it appeared that hope was vanished -- like herself, the avian held only little information of the premises. Caiaphas would not begrudge him this, though her dark muzzle fell brief with disappointment.

"Are you well fed, bird?" The bony coywolf inquired, though in truth she cared little for any creature's welfare save her own. There lingered in her question some underlying tone -- though outwardly her motive was not yet apparent.

His answer was most peculiar to her, in that he mentioned war. A smile supplanted upon her muzzle then, though it lacked any indication of warmth.

"War?" She inquired, a long and slender ear cupped forwards in interest. The matters of avians was scarce a realm of interest for her, but upon this dreary day she found her black-plumed companion most interesting. "We would have need for an informant, at my home." Before she ventured further, she would look upon him and see if he truly suited her pack's unique needs.

The prospect of witnessing a raven's war delighted the grim female, and tempered a malicious smile upon her little muzzle. Yet it did not alter her from her intent -- with a quick gaze skyward the waif rose. "Wolves too, are behest by war." She answered simply, unwilling to give too much away.

Without expanding further, the angular creature slithered back the way she had come. Right before she disappeared into a dip of rotted tussock and tall frondgrass she turned, her gaze finding the onxy-black of the bird's own. "Should these services suit you, I advise you find me along the shore." With nothing more to utter, the wraith disappeared -- leaving the crow alone to contemplate her mysterious offer.